Contrary to popular belief, cages over graves were not to keep the dead from leaving them, they were to keep people out. And, by people, I mean grave robbers – sometimes going by more alluring titles such as Resurrectionists or Night Doctors.
I have a whole post planned surrounding the vampire craze that swept the nation pre-1900s but to summarise, in the past folk used to be so scared of their loved ones rising from their graves, as ravished blood fiends, that they would go to great lengths to prevent it from happening. Some bodies were dug up and the corpse would have their head chopped off and the whole thing burned, coffins would be nailed shut and rocks would be shoved in mouths – the latter could also be a myth but I have yet to research that far. But for now, let’s assume it’s true.
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